Download Image forming device with token printing capabilities

US006233408B1
(12> Ulllted States Patent
(16) Patent N6.=
Allen
(54)
(45) Date of Patent:
IMAGE FORMING DEVICE WITH TOKEN
PRINTING CAPABILITIES
5,305,199
Inventor:
Loretta E. Allen, Hilton, NY (US)
(73) Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester,
NY (US)
(*)
Notice:
Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
May 15, 2001
4/1994 LoBiondo et a1. .
1/1996 Walkingshaw et a1. .
5,488,423
5,500,681
(75)
US 6,233,408 B1
3/1996 Jones .
576827140
10/1997 Christensen et al' -
5,691,750
11/1997 Edwards .
5,717,974
2/1998 Park.
5,812,156
5,937,225
9/1998 Bullock et a1. .
8/1999 Samuels .
6,102,508 *
8/2000
Cowger .................................. .. 347/7
* cited by examiner
(21) APPL No, 09/501,748
Primary Examiner—Joan Pendegrass
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Frank Pincelli
(22) Filed:
(57)
Feb. 10, 2000
ABSTRACT
(51)
(52)
Int. c1.7 ................................................... .. G03G 15/00
us CL
n 399/8; 399/15; 399/24;
Amethod and an electronic image forming device having at
least one replaceable consumable. At least means is pro
(58)
705/14
Field of Search ............................. .. 397/1 9 24 25
vided for automatically sensing When the replaceable con
“.mable in.t.he mage forming device reachés a P.re.d‘?ter'
397/27 81_ 347/7 19_ 705/14 g0’ 396/15’
mined cond1t1on.AsoftWare program automatically initiates
’
’
’
’
’
’
8’
an offer to the user of the electronic image forming device
When the predetermined condition is reached. The offer may
(56)
References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
4,922,294
5,068,806
5,128,752
5/1990 Nakagami et a1. .
11/1991 Gatten.
7/1992 Von Kohrn .
include a discount for the purchase of a neW consumable or
related item. The software program may also initiate com
munication With a remote site for ordering of a replaceable
Consumable‘
5 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
ISBN 0—316—l7791—1
90000
9 780316 177917
U.S. Patent
May 15,2001
Sheet 2 0f 4
US 6,233,408 B1
PRINT JOB
’\/40
PRINT
<-—
44
YES
CONSUMABLES
LOW
g46
SETFLAG
1
ACTIVATE STATUS "v48
INDICATOR
50
DECISION TO
PRINT TOKEN
NO
?
52
PRINT TOKEN
FIG. 2
U.S. Patent
May 15,2001
Sheet 3 0f 4
US 6,233,408 B1
I
ggsmév§ mi§ énmR\§
GEm.
U.S. Patent
May 15,2001
Sheet 4 0f 4
US 6,233,408 B1
77km SW 7m 0550:
ATTENTION.‘ YOU ARE RUNNING LOW ON COMPONENTA.
BASED ON YOUR CURRENT CONSUMPTION RATE, YOU WILL BE
COMPLETELY OUT OF COMPONENTA ON OR ABOUT DATE.
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU USE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURE
REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS IN YOUR DE VICE.
YOU CAN USE THIS FORM TO AUTOMATICALLY ORDER THE
COMPONENTS YOU NEED ATA SUBSTANTIAL SAVINGS OVER
REGULAR RETAIL PRICES.
SIMPLY FILL OUT THE INFORMATION BELOW, AND YOUR PARTS
WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE SENT TO YOU.
COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING
NA ME: |
ADDRESS: L
CITY: L
ZIP CODE: |
DAYTIME PHONE: |
_| .
E-MAIL ADDRESS: L
CREDIT CARD NUMBER: |
MAIL TO: BYZ COMPANY
TERMS AND CONDITIONS: TOKEN
_
send E mall
REQUESTS MUST BE RECEIVED
BEFORE 12/31/02 AND CLAIMS ARE
SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION. OFFER
vO/D WHERE PROHIBITED, TAXED OR
RESTRICTED.
FIG. 4
US 6,233,408 B1
1
2
IMAGE FORMING DEVICE WITH TOKEN
PRINTING CAPABILITIES
When the status indicator senses that a particular consum
able is exhausted or nearing exhaustion, the device auto
matically prints a hard copy of a token Which is redeemable
on the purchase of that particular OEM consumable. The
token Will give the user an incentive to purchase an OEM
product in the form of cash savings vs. an after market
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to image forming electronic
devices and more particularly to an apparatus and method
product.
for informing the operator that an image forming device that
In one embodiment, this is accomplished using a softWare
one or more consumables components of the apparatus is
approaching the end of its life, and providing the user With
the proper information and also an incentive to replace said
program implementation Within the image forming elec
10
consumables With the recommended original equipment
?ag Within the softWare program of the device, Which
manufacture (OEM) replacement parts.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
tronic device. In addition to, or in lieu of, a traditional
loW-level status light indicator, the loW-level sensor sets a
prompts the user to make a decision about printing a token.
The prompt can be in the form of a dialog boX that is
15 displayed on a screen of a computer that is connected to the
Most image forming electronic devices, such as facsimile
electronic printing device. A “yes” response causes one or
machines, printers, copiers, and most recently home photo
more pages to be printed by the device, a “no” response calls
for no action. If the user selects the “yes” option, token
information is printed on these pages. Alternately, the token
printers, utiliZe any number of consumables, e.g. toner, ink,
ribbon, receiver media, etc. Which need to be replaced at the
end of their lives. Today, more and more of these electronic
devices are designed to be portable requiring a DC poWer
supply. In this situation, the poWer supply is also a
consumable, and needs to be replaced at the end of its
service life.
can be printed automatically Without requiring any action
from the user. The token information contained in these
pages can be completely pre-stored Within a memory device
such as a ROM (read only memory) or NVRAM (non
volatile random access memory). The pages can be hand
The service life for a consumable is generally designed by 25 carried by the user and redeemed at a place of purchase for
the consumables.
the manufacturer and is monitored by the print device in
Which it operates. Optimally, near the end of the consum
The present invention provides a printing apparatus Which
able’s life, the print device displays a message to the user on
senses the level of its consumables, indicates When the level
a display of the device or on a host device, such as a personal
is loW, and offers the user an opportunity to purchase OEM
computer, concerning the status of the consumable. The
replacement consumables at a reduced cost.
message is generally limited to nothing more than a “toner
The present invention also provides an incentive for the
loW” or “paper out” indication.
user to purchase OEM replacement consumables.
Typically, image forming electronic devices are packaged
for sale so that all the components required to form an image
are included in the package. And because equipment manu
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
35
The above, and other objects, advantages and novel
facturers design equipment for optimal performance using
particular consumables having speci?c designated
features of the present invention Will become more apparent
from the accompanying detailed description thereof When
considered in conjunction With the folloWing draWings.
requirements, these particular consumables are also included
in the packaging.
Also included in the package of the image forming
In accordance With one aspect of the present invention
there is provided an electronic image forming device com
electronic device is a User’s Manual Which instructs the user
prising:
hoW to assemble the components of the device, and hoW to
a. at least one replaceable consumable;
b. at least one sensor for automatically sensing When the
successfully form images using the device. Usually included
at the end of the User’s Manual, or as a separate document,
is a “Statement of Limited Warranty”. This statement
replaceable consumable reaches a predetermined
condition, and
includes, but is not limited to, information regarding covered
c. a softWare program for initiating printing of a token by
repair services on the device if the device fails to operate
Within a certain period of time from date of purchase. The
Warranty may not include services for failure caused by use
of other than the properly designed consumables in the
device.
the image forming device When the predetermined
condition is reached.
In accordance With another aspect of the present invention
there is provided an electronic image forming device com
prising:
Replacement OEM consumables for image forming elec
tronic devices are available for purchase from a Wide selec
tion of retail centers, as Well as mail order from the Internet. 55
replaceable consumable reaches a predetermined
In addition, there may be a family of similar devices each
having the same or different requirements. Also available for
purchase are numerous non-OEM replacement
consumables, Which are typically available to the consumer
at a loWer cost.
a. at least one replaceable consumable;
b. at least one sensor for automatically sensing When the
condition,
c. a status indicating device responsive to the one sensor
60
for indicating When the replaceable consumable has
reached the predetermined condition; and
This invention provides a method and apparatus for
communicating With the user of an image forming electronic
device, and providing the user With an incentive to purchase
and replace eXhausted consumable With OEM parts or
authoriZed parts. The invention advantageously utiliZes sen
invention there is provided a method of notifying a user that
a particular replaceable consumable may need to be pur
sors currently present in the image forming electronic
device, Which are typically built into the printing device.
ing the steps of:
d. an activating device for a user to activate the image
forming device to print a token.
In accordance With still another aspect of the present
chased for use With an electronic imaging device, compris
US 6,233,408 B1
4
3
a. sensing When the replaceable consumable has reached
a predetermined condition; and
b. printing a token for the purchase of the replaceable
consumable Whenever the predetermined condition is
reached.
In still another aspect of the present invention there is
FIG. 3 is a sample of a printed token; and
FIG. 4 is sample of yet another token made in accordance
With the present invention.
provided a method of notifying a user that a particular
Referring noW to the ?gures, an image forming electronic
device 10 is shoWn in schematic representation in FIG. 1.
While this representation is indicative of a inkjet type
printer, it should be understood that the invention is not so
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
INVENTION
replaceable consumable may need to be purchased for use
With an electronic imaging device, comprising the steps of:
a. sensing When the replaceable consumable has reached
a predetermined condition;
b. automatically contacting a remote site When replace
10
limited and is applicable to other image forming electronic
devices such as facsimile machines, thermal printers, laser
printers, LED printers, LCD printers, and virtually any other
able consumable has reached a predetermined condi
tion and communicating this condition to the site;
c. the site controlling printing a token at the electronic
imaging device for the purchase of a neW replaceable
consumable.
15
The term “image forming electronic device” for the
purposes herein, shall be used to describe any image forming
electronic device.
In accordance With yet another aspect of the present
invention there is provided a method of notifying a user that
a particular replaceable consumable may need to be pur
Consumable components can be de?ned as such items
that are consumed in use during the printing operation or
general operation of the device. Often the consumables are
typically pre-measured and housed in their oWn container or
chased for use With an electronic imaging device, compris
ing the steps of:
a. sensing When the replaceable consumable has reached
a predetermined condition;
kind of image forming electronic device Which uses con
sumable components to create the images.
25
b. indicating When the replaceable consumable reaches
the predetermined condition; and
cartridge. The type of printer designates the type of con
sumables that are required by the printer. In many cases, the
printer requires at least tWo separate consumable compo
nents to make an image, some sort of donor material, and
some sort of receiver material. Several examples of donor
material can be ink, thermal ribbon, or electrostatically
c. enabling the user to print a token for purchase of the
replaceable consumable When the predetermined con
dition is reached.
In accordance With still yet another aspect of the present
invention there is provided a computer softWare product
comprising a computer readable storage medium having a
charged particles, etc. and receiver material can be ?lm,
paper or plastic coated paper, etc. Generally, printers today
run on AC, but there is a groWing demand for portable
electronic components. To satisfy this demand, portable
printers that run on DC are noW available, and accordingly
computer program Which When loaded into a computer of an
image forming device causes the computer to perform the 35 a portable poWer supply can be added to the list of consum
ables.
folloWing steps:
Inkj et printers typically require a cartridge containing ink.
a. sensing When the replaceable consumable has reached
If the printer is of the portable type, it may also require
batteries or a poWer pack. Thermal printers typically require
a predetermined condition in the image forming device;
and
a cartridge containing a donor ribbon and a cartridge con
taining receiver media. In the case of a thermal facsimile
b. printing a token for the purchase of the replaceable
consumable Whenever the predetermined condition is
reached.
In accordance With another aspect of the present invention
there is provided a computer softWare product comprising a
computer readable storage medium having a computer pro
gram Which When loaded into a computer of an image
forming device causes the computer to perform the folloW
machine, only a cartridge containing media is required since
45
ing steps:
supporting electronic control for the print engine 12.
Additionally, the formatter 14 interprets signals received
a. sensing When the replaceable consumable has reached
a predetermined condition;
b. automatically contacting a remote site When replace
able consumable has reached a predetermined condi
tion and communicating this condition to the site;
c. the site controlling printing a token at the electronic
imaging device for the purchase of a neW replaceable
consumable.
the media itself contains the donor chemistry.
The printer/image forming device 10 includes a digital
print engine 12 to print on media 38, such as paper, using a
disposable ink cartridge 28. The printer further includes a
formatter 14, a printer controller 16, and an input 18 for
receiving data to be printed. The formatter 14 provides the
from the print engine 12 such as a loW ink level signal Which
is used in this embodiment to trigger a visual message to the
user that the level of ink is nearing exhaustion. The formatter
55
14 comprises softWare 20 containing memory 22, a micro
processor 24, a strip output buffer 26, and a counter.
In the embodiment illustrated, the disposable ink cartridge
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
28 is of the type that includes an ink supply and a number
of heater resistors. In order to track ink usage of the ink
In the detailed description of the preferred embodiments
of the invention presented beloW, reference is made to the
?red and updates a cumulative count from a counter 30 into
memory 22 Which is a non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) at the
cartridge 28, the formatter 14 counts print head dots to be
accompanying draWings in Which:
end of each page printed by the printer 10. The method of
counting dots and managing ink level data is described in
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an image forming
electronic device comprising the consumable end of life
messaging feature and token printing capabilities;
FIG. 2 is a How chart shoWing one possible softWare
program implementation of the invention;
65
detail in US. Pat. No. 5,691,750. This information is used to
determine When the ink supply in the cartridge is near
eXhaustion. Thus, prior to actually running out of ink, the
operator is advised of the need to replace the ink cartridge
US 6,233,408 B1
5
6
prior to actually exhausting the ink therefrom. It is to be
under any appropriate monitoring and/or sensing method or
device may be employed for monitoring of the item to be
exhausted. This may include the counting of the number of
token. If no, the printing operation runs in its normal routine.
If the decision is to print a token, then at step 52 the token
can be printed. The printing operation can of course also
continue its normal operation.
While in the preferred embodiment the instructions for the
production of the token is provided in the softWare, the
pages that have been printed thereon by the image forming
device 10.
A loW level status indicator 25 such as light emitting
present invention is not so limited. Quite often the printer is
diodes (LED’s) or a LCD is provided on the printer 10 or on
connected to a host computer, as illustrated in FIG. 1, that
the display panel of printer 10 for loW level ink indications.
When a “loW ink” level is sensed by a loW level sensor 27
has communication capabilities. For example, most personal
10
in the formatter 14, the loW level status indicator 25 is
energiZed communicating to the operator that the ink level
in the disposable ink cartridge 28 is at or beloW a pre
determined set point, and nearing exhaustion. The sensor 27
may be of any suitable type capable of monitoring the supply
15
of ink in the cartridge. In addition to the level status indicator
25, the loW-level sensor 27 sets a ?ag Within softWare
automatically connect to a Web page of the original manu
facturer or designated seller of authoriZed replacement parts.
In this Way the manufacturer or authoriZed seller may be
able to offer the latest offering and/or upgrades of consum
ables and printer that the user may not have been aWare of.
The user can also be aWare of special promotions being
embodiment illustrated the token is in the form of coupon
offered, such as trading in the printer for an update version.
25
token 32. Alternately, a message can be displayed on the
In addition this method can avoid the need to print any token
or promotional discount at the image forming device 10. The
display panel prompting the user to make a decision about
user can simply order a neW consumable directly from the
manufacturer, or seller, for direct shipment to the user or
their desire to print the token 32. An activating device, such
as selection buttons adjacent the display panel, enables the
pick-up by the user. FIG. 4 illustrates an example of token
user to input their preference. The user is asked to select
“yes” to print the token 32, or “no” for no action. A “yes”
selection causes the printer 10 to automatically print a
redeemable token 32 on the media Within the printer 10.
Data regarding tokens 32 are stored in memory 22 of the
softWare program 20 of print engine 12 so that the appro
priate token can be printed. Since the device may have more
than one consumable, Which may be depleted at a different
alloWs the personal computer to be connected to any other
computer that is also connected to the Internet. Today, most
corporations and businesses Which manufacture and/or sell
printers and consumables for these devices have a home Web
page Which can be accessed through the Internet. Therefore
instead of the printer 10 printing the token directly, it is
possible that the softWare in printer 10 is designed to
program 20 of the printer 10. When the printer 10 determines
that the level of ink is exhausted or nearing exhaustion, the
printer 10 automatically prints data in the form of a token 32
(see FIG. 3). The token 32 is an incentive to purchase a
particular product to replace the exhausted item. In the
Which provides cash savings on the purchase of a designated
replacement item. FIG. 3 shoWs an example of the printed
computers can be connected to the Internet Which in turn
that is send to the user upon receiving a message from the
35
image forming device 10 that a particular consumable is loW.
FIG. 4 merely illustrates the type of consumable that may be
offered by identifying it as Component A. The actual com
ponent Would be provided as the actual date also referred to
in FIG. 4. The token is merely an example and may take any
appropriate form and offer any desired promotion.
It is to be understood that various other modi?cations
made be made Without departing from the scope of the
rate, the softWare is pre-programmed to print the appropriate
token. In addition to, or in lieu of, a traditional loW-level
present invention, the present invention being de?ned by the
status indicator 25 on the display panel of printer 10, a signal
claims that folloW.
can be sent to a monitor 34 of a host computer 36.
The above description is based on, but not limited to, a
PARTS LIST
disposable ink cartridge in an inkj et printer. It is Well knoWn
that there are other types of sensing systems in an inkjet
printer as in other types of printers as Well. For example, a
media sensor for sensing When the media being printed on
10 printer/image forming device
45
is approaching exhaustion, and a battery sensor for battery
operated units to sense When the energy level remaining in
the battery or batteries is nearing exhaustion. In all cases,
When the sensor reaches a predetermined set point, a mes
12 digital print engine
14 formatter
16 printer controller
18 input
20 softWare
22 memory
sage is given to the user to indicate the status of the
24 microprocessor
consumable. A token is either printed automatically for the
25 loW level status indicator
user, or the user is given an option Whether or not to print a
26 strip output buffer
token.
27 loW level sensor
Referring to FIG. 2 there is illustrated a flow chart as to 55
28 disposable ink cartridge
an example of the operation of a softWare program that has
30 counter
been preprogrammed in to the softWare 20 of image forming
device 10 in accordance With the present invention. At step
40, a print job is request. At step 42 the printer request is
received and analyZed by the softWare in the computer. At
32 token
34 monitor
step 44 it is determined if the one of the consumables is loW.
40
42
44
46
48
50
52
If not, the printing operation continues normally. If the
ansWer is Yes, a ?ag at step 46 is set. The step 48 causes an
indicator to advise the user of the loW consumable condition.
This may be a light indicator or a screen display providing 65
details of the loW consumable condition and the options
presented to the user. At step 50 the user decides to print the
36 host computer
38 media
step
step
step
step
step
step
step
US 6,233,408 B1
7
8
What is claimed is:
1. A method of notifying a user that a particular replace
4. Amethod according to claim 1 Wherein said remote site
advises the user of said imaging device of additional pro
able consumable may need to be purchased for use With an
motions relating to said imaging device and/or said replace
electronic imaging device, comprising the steps of:
ment consumable.
a. sensing When said replaceable consumable has reached
a predetermined condition;
b. automatically contacting a remote site When replace
able consumable has reached a predetermined condi
tion and communicating this condition to said site;
c. said site controlling printing a token at said electronic
imaging device for the purchase of a neW replaceable
consumable.
2. Amethod according to claim 1 Wherein said remote site
is the manufacture of said imaging device.
3. Amethod according to claim 1 Wherein said remote site
is a seller of authoriZed said neW replacement consumable
for said imaging device.
10
15
5. A computer softWare product comprising a computer
readable storage medium having a computer program Which
When loaded into a computer of an image forming device
causes the computer to perform the folloWing steps:
a. sensing When said replaceable consumable has reached
a predetermined condition;
b. automatically contacting a remote site When replace
able consumable has reached a predetermined condi
tion and communicating this condition to said site;
c. said site controlling printing a token at said electronic
imaging device for the purchase of a neW replaceable
consumable.